By Ani Bassey, Calabar
The Cross River State governor Professor Ben Ayade has justified the huge number of appointees in his administration saying hardship, pain will push a gentlemen across the fence.
Professor Ayade disclosed this in Calabar during a solidarity rally organised for him by the 18 local government chairmen in the state.
The governor said he does not need the 6000 appointees at the state level and 13,000 at the local level but this has helped in reducing social tension in the state and entrenching peace.
“When times are hard we realized that we have to expand government.
“Why do I have to pay 13,000 people at the local government level, it’s because I care and not because I have.
“Why do I have to pay 6,000 Political appointees at the state level, if we don’t do that hardship and pain will push even the gentleman across the fence.
“The alert we give to the appointees is what is lowering social tension and giving us the peace we have today”, the governor said.
He added that with a national population of 207 million people, we need to focus on people, human beings, expand government and create opportunities for jobs.
He promised to finish strong and stressed that with about 20 active industries, the state is in the direction of a positivistic change.
Also speaking, Emmanuel Bassey the chairman of Akpabuyo LGA and chairman of chairmen said the the rally is a movement aimed at supporting the industrialization drive of the governor.
He said the 18 LGA chairman, 18 vice chairmen and 196 members of the local government legislature support the governor and will always stand by him.
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On is part, John Ewa the chairman of Boki said the critics should change their minds and support the governor in his industrialization drive.
He added that the last major industrialization drive took place over 30 years ago and the ongoing industrialization drive will change the narrative of the state.
